| |
Old tires, even those
with all of their tread
remaining, with beautiful
whitewalls and looking
brand new, can fail (blowout)
catastrophically due to
hardening. In Europe it
is recommended to discard
any tire over 6 years
old. In North America
there is no official expiry
date but it is generally
recommended to discard
any tire over 10 years
old.
The date of manufacture
of a tire can be read
off the tire's sidewall
when knowing where to
look. On the tire, close
to the wheel rim, there
is a DOT number that ends
with a date code. For
tires manufactured before
2000 the last 3 digits
indicate the week (2 digits)
and year (1 digit) of
manufacture. For tires
manufactured after 2000
the last 4 digits indicate
the week (2 digits) and
year (2 digits) of manufacture.
All the digits between
the DOT and the year code
are manufacturer specific.
It is only mandated to
put the date code on one
side of the tire.
Here are three typical
examples. Note
that for the first tire
with a 3-digit date code
it is impossible to know
in which decade the tire
was manufactured. However,
any tire with a 3-digit
date code is over 10 years
old and should be scrapped,
irrespective of its apparent
condition, for safety.
Tire manufactured
in 43rd week of
1996 or
1986 or 1976 or
....
DOT
(HNBB) (C9NX) (pi)ear
Tire manufactured
in 2nd week of 2007
DOT
(EL A6) €CJB0207
W
e e k Y e
a r
Tire manufactured
in 16th week of
2010
DOT
(4136V) (JVI R)(1610)
W e e k Y
e a r |
When purchasing 'new'
tires, before installation,
be sure to check the tires'
date codes to avoid being
sold tires that have been
in stock for years.
Vintage
Bentleys Are Not Complicated
W.O. Bentley created a
straightforward design
that thousands of amateurs
have restored over the
last 80 years. Turning
your car over to a restorer
is one option, but first
consider working on it
yourself with the help
of others. If you enjoy
working on cars, as many
of us do, it is easier
to do so today than ever
before. Whether you wish
to do maintenance, repairs
or a full restoration,
the result will be the
ability to know your car
well enough to repair
it when it breaks down
on the road.
Knowledge Is Powerful
And Useful
Read the 'Instruction
Books' (owners manuals)
that this web site provides.
Study the maintenance
section and purchase the
Bentley Drivers Club's
THE TECHNICAL FACTS OF
THE VINTAGE BENTLEY. We
are in the process of
developing a full "manual"
for restoration of Vintage
Bentleys on this web site,
complete with information,
supplies, parts and services
provided by Vintage Bentley
oriented businesses.
Take Photographs As
You Work
Digital cameras are a
lifesaver for disassembly
and re-assembly. When
you need help, e-mail
us your photos and discuss
your problems via the
Bentley Clinic or Vintage
Bentley Services (VBS).
Let experienced owners
and professionals not
only discuss solutions
but also recommend sources
for parts, supplies, services
and restorers.
Helping Others Will
Help You
Getting involved in our
RESTORATION INFORMATION
section will establish
your reputation as a skilled
amateur or professional,
and will build friendships
and business relationships
around the world. The
word will spread. Promote
yourself or your business. |
|
